Adelaide builder Daniel Dimitri Janyckyj of OnPoint Landscaping sentenced for shoddy work

A taekwondo expert who became a landscaper has faced court for dodgy building jobs across Adelaide, and was ordered to repay his customers.

A former Olympic reservist taekwondo champion has been handed a suspended sentence for more than $34,000 worth of shoddy building works.

On Wednesday, Daniel Dimitri Janyckyj, 35 of West Lakes, was sentenced in the Adelaide Magistrates Court for building he never completed – or finished to a poor standard.

Magistrate Kym Millard said Janyckyj had advertised his company OnPoint Landscaping online in relation to multiple services for which he was unlicensed.

“I think in fairness, there might not be a specific assertion about (being licensed), but it is clearly implicit when you advertise the capacity to undertake those works that it would be understood that those works would not only be to a tradesman-like standard but the works would be performed by a person qualified,” Mr Millard said.

Daniel Dimitri Janyckyj represented Australia on the Australian Olympic Shadow Team Squad in 2011 – 2012.

Janyckyj, now 35, outside court on Wednesday, where he was sentenced for his dodgy building works and ordered to pay more than $34,000 in compensation.

The court heard a consumer in North Haven paid Janyckyj more than $11,000 for landscaping work and to relay their driveway.

While tearing up the driveway, Janyckyj caused significant damage to the property, and then failed to carry out any further work

Another builder advised the consumer that work to rectify the damage caused by Janyckyj would cost nearly $30,000.

In a second instance, he was paid more than $10,000 for landscaping work and a driveway extension on a Salisbury property.

Janyckyj previously worked as an employee for a licensed building company before starting his own without a licence.

The court heard the work by Janyckyj was of poor quality and incomplete, and that he had engaged in similar conduct on work on properties at Northfield and Semaphore.

Janyckyj pleaded guilty to three counts of carrying on business as a building work contractor unlicensed, two counts of failing to provide goods and services within reasonable time, one count of holding self out to be builder without licence and failing to attend a compulsory conciliation conference.

During sentencing, the court heard the 35-year-old was a former Olympic reservist for the Australian taekwondo team.

The 35-year-old caused “significant damage to the property” during the removal of old landscaping in. Picture: Attorney-General's Department

A concrete driveway poured by Janyckyj was uneven and caused water to collect and pool inside the garage. Picture: Attorney-General's Department

The court heard Janyckyj had previously worked for a licensed building company before starting his own business – and he did not know he needed a licence to work as a builder.

Counsel for Janyckyj asked Mr Millard to not convict her client as it could affect his attempt to get a builder’s licence in future as he may not be seen as a “fit and proper person” by the regulatory authority.

Mr Millard convicted Janyckyj and sentenced him to a two-year, $1000 good behaviour bond and ordered he pay the four consumers compensation for all money spent for his works – $34,423.

Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs Andrea Michaels said Janyckyj’s conduct was an “outrageous breach of trust” that “left consumers high and dry”.

“It’s a timely reminder for any consumers considering engaging a trader to perform building work to go to the CBS website and check the public register to make sure they are licensed,” Ms Michaels said.

“Never just rely on an ad on social media – do your homework.”